Strong vs. weak RN

[Ariyala]

Hi, in your opinion, what could I do to be viewed at as a "strong" nurse vs a "weak" nurse. I feel that on my floor, (a busy CVICU) that the charge nurses see me as just a mediocre nurse. Not weak, I've been there forever it seems, just not very strong. Even though it would seem silly to you, I'd like to learn charge nurse duties, and I've been seeing that in the absence of a regular charge nurse, they will place a nurse in charge who has been there for half the time I have been. I've heard them say (when trying to chose the shifts charge RN) "Oh, Jane is a strong nurse, she can do it". And believe me, I've asked the manager, but apparently I'm not in the clique! Now, even though I have a strong personality, when it comes to work, and in a group, I often find myself following & being pushed out of the way. I know what to do in certain situations, I guess I'm just scared of doing the wrong thing with a group of cliquey nurses. I'm on top of my patient care, rarely needing assistance/advice (they actually look DOWN on people who ask 'too many questions'!!). Maybe I just answered my own question. I guess I need more self confidence. But in a group of cliques, where they ALL think they're right, how do I shine?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

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:dzed:

seems confusing - mixed messages, at best. i doubt that you are considered a "weak" nurse - i'd bet the opposite.

i am a bit uncomfortable pointing this out and may even be really wrong - but, here it is....

it is likely known that you want to further your education and are seeking certification. you have also communicated the desire to be charge -- and that "goal" seems to be being kept from you without any explanation. hmmm.....

i have found that some folks are threatened by the success of anyone else. sounds petty, catty and selfish - but it does happen.

there is no way to resolve this without the help from your manager - a mandate to make you charge. other than that - the "clique" will likely just sit back and watch you be disappointed and find some delight in that "they" are really getting the gig on you.

i have found far more folks than i'd have thought existed that take delight in seeing one not meet their goals - when "they" know that you are on to better things. i guess they will have a delight in their career looking back on how the "crna worked here once and she can't be all that - cause she couldn't even be charge".

now this may not be the dynamic at all - and if not, i am sorry to be such a negative nellie or paranoid polly - i have just seen more than my share of bitter, jealous and miserable folks whose sole entertainment and joy only comes at the price that they can extract anything from someone else.

i say head down and work hard and don't let this get you down. your future is bright with opportunities.

good luck.

:angel:

and i was thinking that if the op made no secret of the fact that she was planning to go to anesthesia school, the "clique" may think that it isn't worth the time, expense and trouble to orient her to charge because she's not going to be staying anyway.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Oh Ruby, I think you are probably right. When I was doing my management in ICU, I heard this very idea discussed by my NM in regards to the learning curve, and the investment "the team" would make. Kind of glad it was not me, maybe it was an FYI (which I will remember). But I do agree with the "tear down" atmosphere. I've read it many times here on Allnurses.

[traumalover, RN]

I used to be the go to girl at my old hospital, for charge, for floor codes, traumas, and really sick 1:1 patients, and I was pretty darned impressed with myself. I asked for the sickest of the sick, attended many classes, participated on committes, and helped form new policies. However, I was a member of a clique. Some people made it, some didn't. I was young (25-29). I thought I was fully competent to judge other nurses, who would make it and who wouldn't. And charging, being code/trauma queen, being SUPERNURSE was all that mattered, then I relocated for a relationship and started a new hospital. And wasn't in the clique. Talk about a reality check. I really had to work to break into a role where I was respected and challenged, and I still haven't charged (Only been here a few months), but that's okay. What helped me was constantly being polite w/out being overly friendly. Asking about husbands/ kids/wives/how the day was. Asking if people needed help. Updating the charge regularly about my pt and what I'd done and why without being needy/insecure. And saying hey, when I had a question, matter of factly,no "I feel so dumb" or "i'm probably wrong." Not saying you do this, just wanted to share my experiences! Hope it helps

[Ariyala]

I have lots to think about and also lots to work on.

For some reply's to your posts.....

I'm not sensitive (for the most part) nor thin skinned. That I'm sure about. I'm strong willed and the first to jump in and help anyone with anything at any time. And I am polite to literally everyone.

When it comes to my wanting to go to CRNA school, I doubt thats it. I've been in this unit for over 7 years. There are some we hire, KNOWING they are only going to be with us only a year, to get the CVICU required experience for school. And besides, all but one charge nurse is in school for NP!! Maybe when they leave I'll have my chance.

Gosh I don't know, Maybe I'm just not in the right clique for it. I'll work on my "work personality", however doing so might be tough. I am who I am, and not sure how to change me!! I guess I'll try to find a way to work on my leadership abilities. :)

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

I know what you are talking about.

I call them the "A team" and the "B team". If we were athletes, the A team would be the star players.

I play on the "B team" even though I have many years experience there because I am a seldom seen per diem employee.

In some ways, a cycle reinforces itself. The strong nurses get more challenging (for better or worse) and they get stronger.

The weaker/mediocre nurses get more of the turn-water-feed patients, and rarely get the challenges. I have worked ICU for 10 years and have only had one patient code and die ( I'm not counting withdrawing support). I drill myself on ACLS to keep the skills and knowledge.

Unless you're in there all the time, you won't be considered A-team material.

When our perdiems work, we relegate them to outpatients where they don't have to deal with too much stress. Honestly, they're not there to be on "autopilot" like the rest of us full-timers--and they stress out TOO quickly.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

I have lots to think about and also lots to work on.

For some reply's to your posts.....

I'm not sensitive (for the most part) nor thin skinned. That I'm sure about. I'm strong willed and the first to jump in and help anyone with anything at any time. And I am polite to literally everyone.

When it comes to my wanting to go to CRNA school, I doubt thats it. I've been in this unit for over 7 years. There are some we hire, KNOWING they are only going to be with us only a year, to get the CVICU required experience for school. And besides, all but one charge nurse is in school for NP!! Maybe when they leave I'll have my chance.

Gosh I don't know, Maybe I'm just not in the right clique for it. I'll work on my "work personality", however doing so might be tough. I am who I am, and not sure how to change me!! I guess I'll try to find a way to work on my leadership abilities. :)

You need to work on your self-confidence. This clique crap is for the birds; you want charge? Tell them you want it; behave like you already have it, and take the initiative to solve problems instead of worrying about cliques.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

I am my own clique.

[Ariyala]

I am my own clique.

haha I like that. Maybe I will, good advice. But, I don't want to step on peoples toes, but is that part of the job? Why do people get mad at those trying to lead (not necessarily me, just anyone)? Should I stop worrying about making people mad, and just try to lead, solve problems, etc?

[Katie5]

I have lots to think about and also lots to work on.

For some reply's to your posts.....

I'm not sensitive (for the most part) nor thin skinned. That I'm sure about. I'm strong willed and the first to jump in and help anyone with anything at any time. And I am polite to literally everyone.

When it comes to my wanting to go to CRNA school, I doubt thats it. I've been in this unit for over 7 years. There are some we hire, KNOWING they are only going to be with us only a year, to get the CVICU required experience for school. And besides, all but one charge nurse is in school for NP!! Maybe when they leave I'll have my chance.

Gosh I don't know, Maybe I'm just not in the right clique for it. I'll work on my "work personality", however doing so might be tough. I am who I am, and not sure how to change me!! I guess I'll try to find a way to work on my leadership abilities. :)

First off, I wasn't going to comment until I got to this post. If this is a language you use, then it will need changing to get to the position you want. You will need to stop with all the, "Gosh, I don't know", "I guess..", "Maybe..". These are all not secure answers. Do you or don't you want this? Body language and what you say, can play a big role in how people accord you respect or not.

Stop with all the maybes, guesses and stuff. You know what you want. Prove your mettle and go for it. Truth be told, 7years is a long time not to have been charge for once. And you do sound positive on the fact that your CRNA school has absoluetly nothing o do with this. Go out of your way, pick tasks to do, get noticed. I'm not saying kiss ass, but become an asset on your floor. Let people look forward to working with you.All the best.

[vanlo001]

I have always hated the term Strong vs. Weak. However as a charge RN it is essential when planning staffing to consider skill mixes in order to even things out. You may not hear the term weak because we do not use that term to people directly. However it would be a sign of potential if you helped out with the personthat has the sickest patient. And maybe you do. Certainly there are areas where there are cliques and the sickest patients go to the "strong" nurses and the annoying patients go to "weak" nurses. This of course is a set up for failure because if all you ever have is stable patients and then all the sudden there is sick calls and you end up with the sickest patient of course you will have questions and need reinforcements.

We all have strengths and weakness. Getting your certification will definitely help. Mirroring behaviors you see in charge nurses you admire will also help. At our facility the charge nurses are developing a Clark-Sweeney Clinical Performance Tool. We will be evaluating staff nurses based on Patient assessment, clinical judgement, patient teaching, teamwork, etc. There are levels from novice-0 to expert- 5. Each spot has a measurable goal and based on this you get a total score that rates you. The purpose is not punitive but to get an accurate reflection of where nurses are based on measurable criteria. U can then schedule people accurately and those nurses that are novices will need to advance (or not) and those that perform above par will need to maintain that level by measurable outcomes and not who is friends with who.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I am my own clique.

Jo, what a great "byline". You should use it when you post!

[Ariyala]

First off, I wasn't going to comment until I got to this post. If this is a language you use, then it will need changing to get to the position you want. You will need to stop with all the, "Gosh, I don't know", "I guess..", "Maybe..". These are all not secure answers. Do you or don't you want this? Body language and what you say, can play a big role in how people accord you respect or not.

Stop with all the maybes, guesses and stuff. You know what you want. Prove your mettle and go for it. Truth be told, 7years is a long time not to have been charge for once. And you do sound positive on the fact that your CRNA school has absoluetly nothing o do with this. Go out of your way, pick tasks to do, get noticed. I'm not saying kiss ass, but become an asset on your floor. Let people look forward to working with you.All the best.

You are right. I need to change this language to be better/more confidant.

Vanlo001 - I do help out everyone, sickest patient or not, and sometimes I do get the sickest patient. I will get my CCRN and go from there. Thanks.